Skinwalker strides into very fun territory that can be tricky to navigate but entertaining when done correctly. The Western horror is about a pair of cowboys who loot a Native American burial site. By doing so, the two unleash the titular shapeshifting (kinda, sorta, not really, no) demon that has revenge on its mind and will get it from anyone that gets in its way.
On their own, horror and Westerns are two extremely well liked forms of genre cinema. Scary movies are as popular as ever, but stories about cowboys seem to have reached their peak decades ago. An argument can be made there are not enough movies that combine the two since they both have elements that pair so well together. Isolation, a constant sense of danger, and tense settings are just some of the things the films have in common.
It is a shame that Skinwalker does not play to the strengths of both. The Western aspects of the film sometimes sink to the levels of parody. The acting and dialogue are more suited to a comedy sketch show than a horror movie. There are moments that are obviously meant to be funny, but for the most part, it hinders the film.
On the flip side, the horror is done well. The plot is not an especially deep one. It follows the tried and true slasher formula that has worked so well for decades. Skinwalker presents plenty of characters, but it is not so much about them as it is who is going to die next. Which is all you need if you are aiming for a good fun horror flick.
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